Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary medicine is one of the most demanding and rewarding of the health sciences, requiring a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology of multiple species, combined with the clinical skills to diagnose and treat disease, the surgical competence to operate when necessary, and the communication skills to work with animal owners, farmers and colleagues across healthcare, regulatory and research settings. Veterinary surgeons play a vital role not only in animal health and welfare but in public health, food safety and the control of diseases that can pass between animals and humans.

At the University of Cambridge, this six-year full-time degree is structured in two distinct phases. You will spend the first three years studying the scientific foundations of veterinary medicine, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, animal behaviour, pathology, microbiology and the principles of disease. In the final three years, you will move into clinical study, applying your scientific knowledge in veterinary practice settings, working with real patients across the species groups covered by the curriculum.

This combination of rigorous scientific training and extensive clinical experience produces graduates who are both scientifically literate and clinically capable.

Cambridge's research environment is exceptionally strong, and the veterinary course draws on scientific expertise across the university, giving you access to leading researchers in areas ranging from infectious disease and cancer biology to animal welfare and comparative medicine.

On qualifying and registering with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, you will be eligible to work across the full range of veterinary practice, including small animal, farm animal, equine and exotic species practice, as well as in public health, research, regulatory agencies, zoos and military veterinary services. Many graduates go on to postgraduate training in specialist clinical disciplines or research.